Florida State Fall Camp Awards: Seminoles Name Their Most Valuable Player Ahead of 2025 Season
As the sun rises over Tallahassee and the echoes of cleats striking turf ring out across the practice fields, Florida State’s fall camp has reached its most intense, telling stages. With the 2025 season fast approaching, energy is high, expectations are higher, and the margin for error is razor-thin. For a program chasing not only an ACC crown but a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff, every rep matters. But amid the collective grind and hunger of a title-hungry roster, one player has steadily separated himself—not only as a leader but as the defining engine of this team. And while the coaching staff hasn’t officially handed out the title, there’s no question who would earn the unofficial nod as the Most Valuable Player of camp: quarterback Thomas Castellanos.
The former UCF and Boston College quarterback transferred to Florida State in late 2024 amid a whirlwind of portal chaos. Many fans were intrigued but hesitant. Castellanos was electric at times, inconsistent at others, but one thing was never in question—his competitive fire. And from the moment he stepped into Mike Norvell’s program, it became clear he didn’t come to sit behind anyone or blend in. He came to lead. By the time fall camp hit full stride, Castellanos wasn’t just participating. He was commanding. From seven-on-seven drills to red-zone scrimmages, he looked like a quarterback fully in sync with a system that was custom-built for his mobility, creativity, and big-play instincts.
What has made Castellanos the standout of camp isn’t just his highlight-reel runs or deep balls, although there have been plenty. It’s the consistency and control with which he’s executed Norvell’s complex scheme. Where he once might have been known for taking off too early or freelancing into trouble, he’s now diagnosing defenses pre-snap, adjusting protections, and threading passes with timing and touch. His development over the summer speaks to hours in the film room, deep work with offensive coordinator Alex Atkins, and most importantly, a player who understands this is his moment.
But Castellanos hasn’t only won over coaches with film. He’s won the locker room. Several teammates have quietly said that it’s his voice they hear first in the huddle and his energy that sets the tone in practice. His leadership style blends fire and approachability—he’s the first to celebrate a teammate’s play and the first to own up when he misses a throw. That kind of accountability matters in a locker room full of future pros, and it’s helped solidify his status as the emotional centerpiece of the team.
Still, Castellanos’s MVP candidacy isn’t just about vibes. Statistically, he’s been lights out in scrimmages, throwing multiple touchdowns in controlled reps and showing a remarkable efficiency in red-zone periods. Coaches have raved about his improved footwork, especially under pressure, and his ability to create second-chance plays without panicking. His dual-threat ability remains a game-breaking weapon, but he’s learning how to weaponize it with restraint. That balance—of chaos and control—is exactly what Florida State needs at the quarterback position heading into what could be one of its most promising seasons in recent memory.
It’s also worth noting that Castellanos’s rise has occurred amid fierce competition. This isn’t a roster devoid of quarterback talent. Several strong arms and high-ceiling prospects are in the room. But in the biggest moments of camp, it’s been Castellanos leading the two-minute drills, Castellanos hitting receivers in stride during red-zone work, and Castellanos pulling teammates aside to sharpen details between reps. Coaches haven’t needed to name a starter yet because the players already know who it is.
Behind every MVP performance is a cast of key contributors, and Castellanos has had the benefit of working with one of the most talented receiving corps in the ACC. Duce Robinson, the towering tight end transfer, has been a security blanket on third down and a matchup nightmare in the red zone. Freshman phenom Elijah Moore has turned heads with his explosiveness, and returning wideout Hykeem Williams looks like he’s ready to make the leap from potential to production. But it’s Castellanos who’s making them look better. His chemistry with his targets has deepened each week, with timing routes looking crisp and back-shoulder throws landing exactly where they should.
The offensive line, long a concern for Florida State, is also rounding into form, and Castellanos’s command of protections has helped minimize breakdowns. His feel for the pocket has improved dramatically, and he’s shown the maturity to throw the ball away when needed—a small thing, but one that speaks volumes to how far he’s come. In earlier stages of his career, he might have tried to make something happen on every play. Now, he’s learning when the smart play is the best one. That evolution is what separates camp stars from regular-season winners.
Castellanos’s MVP-level impact hasn’t been confined to offense, either. He’s indirectly elevated the defense. Facing a dynamic, mobile quarterback every day in practice has forced the Seminoles’ defense to adapt quickly. Linebackers are learning to spy more effectively. Edge rushers are honing their containment skills. And the secondary? They’ve had no choice but to tighten coverage because Castellanos has been testing them with throws at all three levels. Iron sharpens iron, and the defense knows that battling Castellanos every day in camp is making them better prepared for Saturdays.
While Castellanos is the clear front-runner for camp MVP, there are others who deserve honorable mention. Defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr. has been nearly unblockable at times, anchoring the middle of the line and wreaking havoc in team drills. Linebacker Blake Nichelson has also taken a leap forward, flying to the ball and showcasing the kind of sideline-to-sideline range that coaches crave. On offense, Gavin Sawchuk has emerged as a reliable and explosive option in the backfield, complementing Castellanos perfectly with his vision and burst.
But what makes Castellanos different is that he touches every aspect of the game. He influences the tempo. He energizes the team. He sets the tone. In a program that has experienced its share of highs and lows in the post-Jameis era, his rise feels like a return to stability and swagger. There’s a sense of belief building in Tallahassee, and much of it starts with the guy under center.
As fall camp wraps and attention turns toward the season opener, Castellanos’s role will only grow in importance. The schedule is unforgiving, with key matchups against top-tier ACC opponents and potential playoff-caliber teams. There will be pressure, adversity, and moments where the outcome hangs on a single play. But if camp has shown anything, it’s that Castellanos is ready. He’s sharper. He’s stronger. And perhaps most importantly, he believes in himself—and the team believes in him.
Florida State doesn’t hand out a formal MVP trophy for fall camp, but if they did, it would already be in Castellanos’s locker. His performance over the last month has turned heads, answered questions, and raised the ceiling for a team that already had high expectations. He’s not just a quarterback anymore. He’s the heartbeat of the Seminoles heading into 2025, and if the sparks from camp translate to Saturdays, there’s no telling how high this team can climb.
